Those frightening words were heard earlier today from Air Canada Flight 246 departed London and bound for Toronto.
Immediately two fighter jets were launched from Andrews Air force Base USA and an additional two propeller driven Argus Planes lifted off from Shearwater Nova Scotia.
This was no drill; it was the real McCoy.
Until the Mayday, flight 246 had been an uneventful one. Now some two hours out from the Canadian mainland, panic was setting in amongst the passengers and the North American Air Defence Team.
CNN and Fox News went into immediate action reporting second by second coverage - all the while speculating which American City was the Target. The most likely theories centred around either the White House or the Pentagon in Washington DC.
NORAD Commanders demanded that Canada redirect flight 246 to Goose Bay Newfoundland since, in their words "nothing of value can be hurt there". NORAD stated that it was either that or flight 246 would be shot down over the open Atlantic.
Canadian officials quickly agreed but on condition that our own planes would accompany 246 into Goose Bay. The American Fighters would stay back at a safe distance in case flight 246 tried to make its way back to the American mainland.
The eyes of the world were now fully glued on this breaking story.
Pandemonium broke out in Goose Bay as the Mayor and his Council began planning for their unexpected and unwanted visitors. The Volunteer Fire Department was put on notice. Locals started to stream out of town - there was gridlock on the main road out as a dozen or so cars tried to leave all at once. Sadly, some of their numbers were said to include members of the fire department. An anonymous call even reported to CNN that the Mayor's jeep cherokee was seen in the cavalcade leaving town.
President Obama, on holidays, was unavailable for comment. Prime Minister Harper though made a statement to the effect that Canada's terror alert would be raised immediately from dark to light green and that he would be monitoring the situation carefully in case further spikes in the terror alert were found to be necessary.
Tension was building and as the minutes ticking by like hours.
Finally, Fox News reported that contact had been established with the AC Pilot who had apparently advised that passengers had overcome the Terrorist but that the situation remained very dangerous. Apparently, the package the Terrorist had been holding had spilled out its contents and was now fully exposed to the elements inside the plane. "Fortunately, no one was reported injured or dead" noted Fox.
Fox and CNN affiliates in Goose Bay (CJBT and CXYL) were lined up to meet the plane; i.e. John and Mary with video phones in hand.
The world held its breath.
A CNN report came out confirming that there was more than one Terrorist on board with speculation being that the 'terrorist team' had originated in Yemen. Updates were promised momentarily.
Upon hearing this news, NORAD Commanders made a concerted effort to convince Prime Minister Harper to authorize the shooting down of 246. Reassured that 246 was indeed now bound for Goose Bay and comforted by the earlier assessment that nothing of value could be damaged in Goose Bay, Harper studiously declined the NORAD request.
Back at Goose Bay, the drama was quickly coming to its ultimate climax.
The 'Crowd', now numbering some 5 or 6, could visually see 246's Landing Gear coming down; the big plane was starting its decent.
In minutes, it was rolling down the tarmac at record speed - the affiliates' video phones ever trained on it.
Flight 246 came to a screeching halt - its emergency exits opened and down the slides came its human contents.
Then the main door flew open with the Terrorist being frogged marched out by the Captain and two of his Stewarts. The Terrorist look dazed and the 'Crowd' could not help but notice the severe red bruising above his right eye.
"No Comment' was all the Captain had to say in a stern and professional fashion.
Now what?
A hush descended upon the 'Crowd'.
The eyes of the world looked on, unblinkingly, through the reedy lens of the video cameras.
Most of the passengers had now fled to the safety of the airport with the Terrorist well on route to the local jail.
The big plane stood silent and empty.
When up marched, with ramrod posture, the olde Commissionaire who had stood guard at the outside access gate, for the better part of 20 years.
He mounted the gang plank and went briskly inside the belly of the plane emerging minutes later with an 'Economy Size Bag of Planters Peanuts'.
"Here is the culprit" he said to the world, as he popped a couple into his mouth.
The pictures on CNN and Fox were then interrupted by a hastily called news conference.
The image of Home Land Security Czar, Janet Napolitano appeared, followed by the sound:
"I would like to reasure all Americans, that once again our Security System has stood the test. There is no telling what damage would have occurred had flight 246 been allowed to enter US Air Space".
The World looked on dumbfounded.
As I see it...
"Galagher"
